Prosecution Critiques Vice President Duterte’s Impeachment Reply
MANILA, Philippines — House prosecution spokesperson Antonio Bucoy sharply criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for sidestepping the core issues in her impeachment case. He remarked on her apparent evasion of the substance of the allegations against her.
During a Friday press conference, Bucoy recalled how Duterte initially stated she wanted her impeachment trial to be a “blood bath.” However, he now describes the proceedings as more of a “bubble bath,” highlighting the lack of confrontation with the charges.
The prosecution team observed that Duterte’s response dodged direct answers to the accusations filed against her. Bucoy emphasized the importance of addressing the complaint head-on, reminding that during the committee hearing on good government, Duterte offered no clear explanation.
“You should answer the complaint. If you remember, from the hearing of the committee on good government, it was like that. Until now, there is no explanation, we are in the impeachment process [and] filed an answer, still no explanation,” Bucoy said in Filipino.
He added, “We’re all still guessing. Didn’t she say she wanted a trial — she wants a blood bath. Well this is a bubble bath, not a blood bath.”
Legal Tactics and the “Ad Cautelam” Plea
Vice President Duterte earlier filed an answer ad cautelam on June 23, asking to dismiss the impeachment complaint, claiming it is “void ab initio” or invalid from the start. However, the prosecution team counters this, arguing her legal moves aim to delay or dismiss the case rather than provide substantive answers.
Bucoy stated that Duterte’s answer ad cautelam is filled with falsehoods, misconceptions, and what he calls a “general denial.” According to him, such denial equates to an admission under current laws.
“What’s a general denial? She did not answer the factual allegations. She just said that they’re not true, but the problem with general denial is you did not answer in particular. Because if you deny it, you should explain why,” Bucoy explained in Filipino.
He further elaborated that Duterte did not deny specific points such as attempts to suppress Commission on Audit (COA) documents, the swift use of confidential funds, or issues with liquidation documents. Instead, she simply dismissed these as untrue without detailed rebuttals.
Because of this, the prosecution is pushing for denial of Duterte’s dismissal plea. They have urged the impeachment court to convict Duterte, remove her from office, and impose a perpetual disqualification penalty.
Impeachment Trial Developments Ahead
As the impeachment trial proceeds, the prosecution remains critical of Duterte’s legal approach. They stress that genuine accountability requires addressing the complaints directly rather than relying on procedural tactics.
The unfolding case continues to captivate national attention, with key stakeholders calling for transparency and justice throughout the process.
For more news and updates on impeachment trial developments, visit Filipinokami.com.